Overview

If you were impacted by the federal furlough, the Hebrew Free Loan Association (HFL) may be able to help.

​This program offers interest-free loans up to $18,000, disbursed in monthly installments of up to $3,000 for a maximum of six months. These funds are designed to help cover basic living expenses while you wait for back pay or search for your next opportunity.

Eligibility

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be Jewish or have a Jewish spouse
• Live in the DC metro area
• Have been furloughed by the federal government
• Be able to repay the loan once re-employed

Guarantors

Guarantors
All loans require guarantor(s) to co-sign on the loan. A borrower (or their spouse) cannot serve as a guarantor on their own loan. 
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• Loans up to $10,000: 1 guarantor
• Loans over $10,000: 2 guarantors

Guarantors must meet the following criteria:
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• Net income: greater of $70,000 or three times the loan amount
• At least one must be Jewish
• Each must complete the guarantor form in full
• It is preferable for at least one guarantor to reside in the DC Metro Area but not required
• Guarantors cannot be current borrowers, married to and HFL borrower, or guarantors on another HFL loan

Loan Terms

Loan Terms

• Maximum loan: $18,000
• Disbursed monthly, up to $3,000/month
• Monthly payouts:
  • Must be requested by the borrower
  • Cannot exceed previous monthly income
• Repayment begins after employment is restored or after 9 months (whichever comes sooner); monthly repayment amounts are on a sliding scale depending on the amount borrowed, increasing gradually
• If back pay is received from the government, HFL loan repayment is expected in full within one week of back payment receipt ​

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Application Process

How to Apply

1. Submit your loan application
2. If you need a guarantor, ask your guarantor to complete the guarantor form
3. After review, an HFL volunteer will schedule a phone interview
4. The loan committee will evaluate your application
5. If approved, a Zoom loan closing will be scheduled with you and your guarantor(s)
6. Final documents will be sent via DocuSign
7. Funds will be transferred directly to your account

Application Form